I Need Some....

[Zack]

Questions answered, go figure!
As you may or may not know, my Marauder drove like a dream until 2000 miles when it started pulling to the right.
I dealt with it until 7000 miles when I found a shop that could align it. The shop brought it to spec but it still pulled. Then they pulled the front drivers wheel back as far as it would go and that made things a little better.
Now Im at 11,500 miles and all of a sudden, out of the blue, the car is pulling to the right something fierce. Now keep in mind I avoid bumps and treat my car like gold. It started pulling without warning and other factors might be at play here: The car has been seaping PS fluid from the rack and pinion since new. In the last 2 weeks, it has been leaving small puddles of PS fluid on the floor overnight (Not necessarily from the rack, I think from the PS fluid hose). In addition to all this, since it has started to pull, the steering is noticeably 'looser' and feels like the center link (on an older car) is starting to wear out. When I go over bumps now, the bumps and dips in the road want to pull the car over a few inches where it didnt do this before. I also 'feel' the road through the wheel unlike before. I am taking it in on Monday to be fixed, but would like to be armed with as much info and/or similar stories so things go smoothly.
Thanks to everyone ,
Now get me some answers!

[Logan]

Sounds like your rack is shot. I've heard rumblings of the odd issue here and there with the redesigned rack and pinion assy.

[Smokie]

Zack, Well obviously the leak has to fixed, but you might want to check for a sticking caliper that can also make your car pull. Best of luck.:)

[LincMercLover]

I noticed a little oilly build up where my hoses meet the rack also. I noticed this when changing the oil. Looks as if where one of the lines comes in, it isn't totally secured. I have no pulling issues though... Still could be something for all of us to look out for.

[carfixer]

The pulling may be a rack, tire, brakes or alignment. To test for the rack being the cause, get on a straight stretch up to about 50mph, put it in neutral and turn the engine off. If pulling stops, its the rack. To test for tire pull, cross rotate the tires. If it still pulls, it gotta be the alignment or brake pull. A good indication of it being the brakes, if you have considerably more brake dust on specific wheel than another. If you tell the dealer it is pulling, they will just blindly align the car without checking the other items.

[Tweety]

Man, sounds as tho he knows what he is talking bout. and he is correct.

[sailsmen]

When an alignment is done the new torque specs are 163?ft/lbs. If they are using the old torque spec the alignment won't hold.

[Zack]

Originally posted by carfixer
The pulling may be a rack, tire, brakes or alignment. To test for the rack being the cause, get on a straight stretch up to about 50mph, put it in neutral and turn the engine off. If pulling stops, its the rack. To test for tire pull, cross rotate the tires. If it still pulls, it gotta be the alignment or brake pull. A good indication of it being the brakes, if you have considerably more brake dust on specific wheel than another. If you tell the dealer it is pulling, they will just blindly align the car without checking the other items.

Thanks for the info. Its not the brakes or tires, ive already checked them both. I would like more info about the rack, though. How does the car being on or off affect anything???

[LincMercLover]

Pressure through the lines and into the rack.

[Warpath]

The first step is to make sure the tire pressures are correct or at least equal left to right if you changed them. If they are not equal on both sides, it will pull/drift.

[dhawke98]

I have had the same issues yet Ford is saying I have been abusing my MM. "They have never seen these issues and that it has the same front end as the interceptor which has proven itself..." Have my dispute settlement board in 2 days....

[Zack]

I fixed the car myself last week. The rack was fine and the PS line was leaking but replaced.
I adjusted the toe by eye and the car drives perfect again.
I dont need no stinkin warranty!!

[dhawke98]

I will be happy if they give me new tires and just pay for one of the independant shops to do the alignment the way I want. Problem is, mine hasn't been holding the alignment, camber, caster and toe on RF keeps changing. The right camber changed in 2 weeks from -0.7 to- 0.84 and caster from 5.6 to 5.45 and the toe changed from -0.7 to 0.44. All this is with only 300 miles being driven.
Considering just sticking with old beaters from now on

[CRUZTAKER]

Hi Zack!

I am glad you fixed your issue. For posterity let me add....

When I first put the winter tires on the MM it had a slight pull to the left. Over time it continued and I approached the dealer. We swapped front wheels and low and behold it now pulled to the right. A 'road force' balance proved that one tire had a belt imperfection and was causing the problem. It took some convincing, and a couple threats, but Conrads replaced BOTH tires free of charge.

[dhawke98]

Did the swap a long time ago, and had no influence. Glad it worked for you though.